Tha Mangoman, aka Dylan shared this roof rack solution for Fat-Bikes made by 1 up USA.
Review: 1 up USA’s Quik-Rack – http://1upusa.com/rooftray.htm
Like many folks I’ve been transporting my bicycles with a hitch-based rack. But the times, they are a-changin’. How? I commute about a hundred miles a day, and I’ve seen more rear-end accidents in the past year than I’ve seen in the last ten. Crazy. And while I don’t have hard evidence to back it up, my hunch is that most of these are based on a massive increase in smartphone usage. But, for whatever reason, they’re happening. A lot. I don’t care if someone rear-ends my old Subaru. But if Baby’s on the back? Baby…that took me months to plan, purchase and build? You hit Baby and we got ourselves a problem.
So I’m going to the roof. It’s not nearly as easy, hoisting my 30+ pound Fatback up there. But the rack I’m using from 1 up USA couldn’t be simpler. I’ve been using it for about one month. Installation is so easy it’s almost silly, and the function of the rack is even simpler: push the red lever up and open the arm. Close arm. Repeat for other tire. Done. That’s it. You might find yourself doing the same double take I did, wondering, “That’s it?” Yup, that’s it.
For all us Fatbikers, the $189 rack offers an optional $29 Fat-Tire Spacer Kit. The owner will install the spacers for free before shipping (just ask). And once installed, you don’t need to remove the spacers to rack a skinny-tire bike—my Fatback with 29er wheels is just as secure in the rack, and I’m sure my road bike will be fine, too.
Footprint-wise, this rack is very low-profile. I wish I’d found it before I bought a Yakima FrontLoader, which looks like an overbuilt turd by comparison.
Last thing: I paid an extra $30 to have mine anodized in black. That option isn’t offered on their site, but I asked and they said Sure (for $30), so if you’re vain like me and want everything to match, ask ’em about this option.
he said turd hahahha
The tow hitch version is even sweeter. Folds up snug against the bumper, can be stacked like Legos adding up to 4 bikes, and installs/uninstalls in seconds fitting into any trunk. By fay the best rack I have used in 20 years!!
Gomez, are you still liking this rack? Any issues with it or any problems loading skinnier tired bikes?
Thanks,
Glenn
Hey Glenn. I sold my ’04 Forester for a WRX and last year. I also switched from the rounded Yakima rack bars to Subaru’s very low/flat OEM crossbars. Point is, the 1upUSA rack is still up there, and it mounts just as well to the flat crossbars.
Still my favorite rack ever. Why? Simplicity.
FWIW, I have two racks for it: one regular and one fat. The reality is, I’ve had several occasions where my wife and I transported our road bikes up there, so one very high end tri-specific bicycle was locked into the fat-specific rack. Not a problem at all.
Also, I have a bad speeding habit and have found myself cruising at 80mph with my Precious loaded up top in the 1upUSA. She’s very steady up there.
Also, part 2: the black powdercoating job on my 1upUSA racks has held up very well. The 1upUSA guy was a bit reluctant to do it for a roof rack, but he’s apparently sourcing the powder coating to a reputable vendor.
I have no interest in buying any other rack solution. Someone would have to create something more simple and more sturdy, and to them I say, “Good luck with that.”
Dylan, thanks and great to hear from you. So if I understand, there is no issue with a 29er in one of the racks with the Fatbike spacer installed?
Thanks, and look forward to catching up.
Glenn
Glenn: You’re correct—since the typical fat bike’s tire is actually measuring out to 29″, fitting a regular 29er into the 1upUSA is an easy fit.